​According to the FAA in its latest 20 year aviation forecast, the Latin American region will experience an expected and significant growth of 4.5% per year by 2034. As seen on the latest Data Insight Business Aviation Report 2015 (FlightGlobal/Innovata). Global Fleet Distribution by region depicts clearly that Latin America’s growing aviation industry has become the second biggest contributor with 15% (Jets 2,467 – Turbopropos 1,781) and has overtaken within the last 5 years by 3% Europe’s global fleet contribution of 12%. Another significant fact is the rapid growth of Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) in the Latin region from 1 to 6 airlines in a couple of years. In 2014, a considerable portion of

Experts are predicting growth in the aviation industry for 2016 to be record breaking. The falling fuel prices are one of the key factors to help deliver this growth. Brian Pearce, Chief Economist at IATA, has indicated that the net income of the industry should total $33 billion for 2015. This is a large increase from the $17.4 billion achieved in 2014 and has really caught the eye of the investment community. With this outstanding growth within the industry and with interest rates threatening to rise, but are currently at some of the lowest points worldwide, now is the time to achieve any expansion plans, refinancing, purchase/lease of additional aircraft or enter into a M&A situation. The

There is much controversy about self-sponsored pilot development programmes, not only amongst pilots, but also airlines and flying academies all over the world. The demand for highly qualified Captains and First Officers worldwide is growing dramatically. An article in the Spanish Aviation Magazine ISSUU shows that just in Asia, a staggering 216,000 more pilots are needed by the year 2033. The total number of pilots required all around the world in this period will be more than half a million. The situation is clear: More routes, more aircraft require more pilots, but how can the cadets get enough experience to get in the cockpit? And moreover, what happens when the airlines don’t have the

China has for a long time been a favourite destination for expatriate pilots. The demand for captains on Boeing and Airbus jets in particular seems to be insatiable. It’s a popular subject on pilots’ social media and in the crew rooms. But what’s it like being a foreign pilot in China? Brookfield Aviation has been sending pilots to a plethora of Chinese airlines for the last decade and Siya Sun asked some of our pilots a few questions: Siya: What are the best aspects of life in China? Capt. Dave: I have always been interested in Chinese culture so I just enjoy being here. I have some difficulty with the language sometimes but English is quite widely spoken in the big cities and I’m also l

Is the job of a pilot an exceptionally stressful one? This was the first question asked on a recent Brookfield Aviation survey conducted among 1000 industry professionals and the first question asked of an audience at ‘Transport Security Expo 2015’ by Brookfield’s Ashweena Reebye who presented the results of our findings to the conference in December. On a panel of experts which also included Philip Baum, editor of Aviation Security International, Professor Robert Bor, clinical and specialist aviation psychologist, and Capt. Martin Drake, Chairman of Security Working Group, ECA, Ashweena spoke of the threats posed to the travelling public by pilots under suicidal levels of stress and consid

Aerophobia has always been and probably always will be a significant issue for millions of passengers around the world. We all know that flying is about as safe a way to travel as it’s possible to get, so how can passengers be reassured and feel safer in the air? Following a recent Brookfield survey, we have found that feedback from passengers is strongly in favour of a more contact driven approach from the pilots. Whilst understanding the need for enhanced security, passengers do feel that the loss of visual contact with aircrew over recent years has been retrograde. Many feel that the installation of in-cabin screens over which pilots are able to welcome passengers as well as providing in-

The first Brookfield-Croatia Airlines course for B1 and B2 engineers has commenced in Zagreb and the students have arrived from all over the world to participate. The course is arranged in co-operation with the University of Velika Gorica and enables students from a variety of backgrounds to gain an EASA licence with type rating on Airbus 320 and two years on-the job training. On completion of the two year course, the students can take more exams to gain a recognised Bachelor of Engineering qualification from the University. The launch of the programme has been received enthusiastically in Croatia and on the second day, a press conference was held at which representatives of the airline, uni